4 Introducing EQuIPNationalPublished – September 2012

The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS)

5 Macarthur Street Ultimo NSW 2007 Australia

T. 61 2 9281 9955 F. 61 2 9211 9633

E. achs@achs.org.au W. www.achs.org.au

Key features of EQuIPNational

The key features of EQuIPNational are:

the ten NSQHS Standards against which

hospitals and day procedure centres are

required to be accredited,

the five EQuIPNational Standards, which

are derived from key elements of the EQuIP

program and cover the performance of

service delivery processes, provision of

care and non-clinical systems,

a rating system in line with that introduced by

the ACSQHC for the NSQHS Standards,

Accreditation under EQuIPNational

Organisations that successfully meet the

requirements of the NSQHS Standards will

be awarded accreditation and will receive a

Certificate of Accreditation. Those organisations

that further achieve accreditation under the

ACHS EQuIPNational program will receive a

Certificate of Accreditation recognising this

higher achievement.

An organisation which is awarded

EQuIPNational accreditation status by ACHS

has reached a high level of achievement. ACHS

accreditation signals to the community that an

organisation is striving for best practice and

has a quality improvement culture, committed

quality systems, and a focus on consumer /

patient needs and safety.

Advanced Completion surveys

An organisation that does not achieve a

‘Satisfactorily Met’ rating for any core action

within the NSQHS Standards and/or any

mandatory action within the EQuIP-content

EQuIPNational Table

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comprehensive Guidelines to facilitate

safety and quality improvement.

Within the five EQuIP-derived Standards,

certain actions have been designated as

mandatory. These actions, if not met, could

risk the quality of care or the safety of people

within the organisation. In order to achieve full

EQuIPNational accreditation, an organisation

must be rated at least ‘Satisfactorily Met’

against all mandatory actions, in addition

to the core actions within the NSQHS

Standards.

The EQuIPNational 4 year program cycle

Standards may be offered an Advanced

Completion (AC) survey, during which the

organisation can work in partnership with ACHS

to achieve full accreditation within a timeframe

determined by the ACSQHC.

Assessment Recording Tool (ART)

The ACHS Assessment Recording Tool (ART)

is a web-based application designed for

ACHS member organisations and surveyors

to capture essential data against the

EQuIPNational Standards.

Members who have previously undergone

EQuIP5 accreditation will have all their former

information transferred across to ART for

EQuIPNational by ACHS. This ensures that

all essential information remains consistent.

For an easy transition to the new integrated

EQuIPNational program, or for further

information about EQuIPNational or the

NSQHS Standards, contact ACHS:

Phone: +61 02 9281 9955

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